The Cornish Pirates go into the Festive Season sitting pretty in second spot in the Championship, to add to their securing a home tie in the Cup only a week before.

However, the use of the word ‘pretty’ is unlikely to feature in the remaining paragraphs of this account of today’s clash against Hartpury. In fact – by way of a ‘thanks’ from the author – consider it binned for this week.

The game – instead of producing a Christmas Cracker – succeeded only in taking the term winning (or losing for that matter) ‘ugly’ to new levels. Playing conditions it has to be said – took charge of a largely forgettable contest. A ‘win is a win’ will have to suffice.

Penalties from Will Cargill & Javier Rojas Alvarez – one in each half – proved to be enough, when the Try of the Match award was left behind the bar for another day. Even Phil W’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Pirates’ history was stumped with trying to remember the last try-less match. It was that sort of day.

The effort was there for sure with the hosts at least, creating chances – only to see their hard work undone at the crucial moment. On two occasions at least with Hartpury’s goal-line screaming to be crossed.

We’d best forget the lineout.

It wasn’t much better for the visitors either, with Danny Cutmore nicking their throw-ins for fun too.

The end product then wasn’t the best – the purists even would be struggling. But mention in despatches is worthy to Cornish forwards – Dunks & Kiri Kiri for their work at the breakdowns – which nipped any hopes Hartpury may have had of snatching the points, well and truly in the bud. Without their interventions etc.

Spare a thought too for ‘Pury’s wing – Jake Henry – who’s clash of heads with Cargs just before the break – will certainly see the poor fellah struggling to chew on his Xmas chow on Wednesday. Heal quickly lad.

Best to draw a veil, take the points and their effect and move on to 2020 for better fayre.

The tragedy of Penlee will always be raw in these parts. How appropriate then, that Pirates’ Chairman – Paul Durkin – donated his Hospitality 50-50 draw winnings (£352.50) to the Seaman’s Mission. This feeling of goodwill added to by match-day sponsors – Cornwall Electrical Services – who spontaneously donated the same amount to Children’s Hospice South West.